CGCC Nominated for National Sustainability Award

Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) has been selected as a finalist for the 2016 Second Nature Climate Leadership Awards for its leadership in sustainability efforts.

Agave Hall

The Second Nature Climate Leadership Awards recognize innovative and advanced leadership in sustainability, climate mitigation and resilience at academic institutions committed to shaping a more sustainable society. Chandler-Gilbert Community College is a leader in several areas of sustainability including: energy efficiency, recycling, water conservation and sustainable design.

Residing in the desert, water usage is a key issue for CGCC. In order to begin addressing consumption, CGCC converted the landscape watering system from potable water to reclaimed sources that were made available by the City of Chandler. The central plant (air conditioning) chillers, the largest single use of water on campus, was converted to reclaimed sources in 2016.
Over the last four years, the college has replaced aging roofs with better insulated options, has adopted an energy efficient equipment policy, and – most notably – has retrofitted roughly 80 percent of the overhead and external light fixtures on campus with LEDs.  The complete renovation of Agave Hall last year marks the first completely LED-lit building in the system.

Beyond demand reduction, CGCC has been developing resilient options for energy generation. In 2012, CGCC partnered with Salt River Project to build the Environmental Technology Center, CGCC’s solar-powered outdoor classroom in the environmental learning lab. The Coyote Center, includes a solar-powered water heating system and most recently a fully operating 1.38 Mega Watt photovoltaic solar array on campus. The installation completed earlier this summer supplies 37 percent of the Pecos campus’s energy usage.

Additional award finalists include: Cedar Valley College in Dallas, TX; Johnson County Community in Overland Park, KS; College, Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon; Milwaukee Area Technical College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Santa Fe Community College in Santa Fe, NM.

Second Nature in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Center for Green Schools will announce the winners this October in Los Angeles, California, as part of the Greenbuild Leadership Awards Program, benefiting from global publicity opportunities. Visit http://secondnature.org/our-impact/climate-leadership-awards/ for more information about the awards program.

CGCC Inducts Former Athletic Director into ACCAC Hall of Fame

Jeff Mason, CGCC Athletic Dept Founder

CGCC Athletic Department founder and former Athletic Director, Jeff Mason, has been named CGCC’s inaugural inductee to the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC) Hall of Fame.  Mason will be recognized for his induction as well as his tremendous contribution to CGCC Athletics on Wednesday, January 27th during halftime of the women’s basketball game.  

“We could not think of a more appropriate individual to make our inaugural inductee into the ACCAC Hall of Fame,” shared Ed Yeager CGCC current Athletic Director. “Beyond Jeff being the most deserving of this recognition, this created an opportunity for us to honor all that he has done and everything that he means to CGCC athletics.  Our fine athletic facilities including our fields, gymnasium and most recently the Coyote Center are due in large part to Jeff’s leadership and commitment over the years.”

In 1998, Mason was named founding Athletic Director at CGCC and brought with him a rich background in athletics that set his standards of excellence at the highest levels.  After competing as a pro ball player for the Yankees, Cardinals and Giants from 1967 – 1974, Mason poured the same passion and performance into the world of high school athletics as a coach, teacher and eventually athletic director.  Between the years 1975 and 1997 Mason led Apache Junction varsity baseball team to back to back state championships and was named the Arizona Republic Baseball Coach of the Year both years. From 1983-1993, he was the varsity baseball coach at Chandler High School. In 2007, Jeff was named to the Arizona Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Russ Luce, current Head Baseball Coach at CGCC and long-time associate and friend of Mason, is another beneficiary of his efforts at CGCC and in the community.  “We are all so fortunate that Jeff chose to bring his wealth of experience, knowledge and personality to CGCC.  He was handed a tremendous task in building this department and he attacked it with both determination and grace,” reflected Luce.  “It is rare that we have the opportunity to express our gratitude to the people on whose shoulders we stand today, and that is why it is with such enthusiasm that we nominate Jeff for the ACCAC Hall of Fame.”

As the founding CGCC Athletic Director Mason was charged with bricks, mortar and everything else that goes into building a collegiate-level program.  Specifically, Mason had to work with the community to determine which sports to offer and find and negotiate facility agreements for off-campus competition.   Later, he oversaw the design and construction of facilities on campus, he brought CGCC into the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference and the National Junior College Athletic Association.  He hired coaches and staff, assisted with recruiting, assured that student athletes and coaches conformed to standards, and led fundraising efforts.  

When asked his inspiration to get up and go to work every day, Mason’s response is fitting of our first hall of famer.  “The best part of my job was by far the student athletes, getting to know each one, watching them compete as Coyotes and creating memories to last a lifetime.”

CEREMONY DETAILS:
The CGCC athletic department will recognize Mr. Jeff Mason on his induction into the ACCAC Hall of Fame Class of 2015 Wednesday January 27th at 7pm at the Coyote Center. The ceremony will take place between the women’s basketball game and the men's game. Our opponent will be Cochise College.

Prioritize Your Health This Semester, Enroll In a Group Fitness Class at The Coyote Center

With the everyday stresses of homework, work and family, finding time to work out may seem impossible for many students. One solution may be group fitness classes at the Coyote Center which are a convenient way for students to exercise without the hassle of leaving campus. From Yoga and Pilates to Zumba and Boot Camp, classes are available in a variety of workout styles and are offered Monday-Thursday from 7am to 5pm.  

"It is really important for students to find time to add movement into their day," said Cookie Potter, manager of the Coyote Center. "We offer a variety of classes throughout the day in order to make them convenient for students' schedules. Our classes are an opportunity for students to take a break from technology and the pressures of the classroom; to move around and have fun! "

The benefits of group exercise go beyond improved physical health. Group classes are a wonderful place to meet new people who have similar lifestyle goals as as well as a great way for students to feel motivated. When you're working out on your own it's easy to slow down when tired and give up. But in our group classes, instructors will work with students to push them to the next level through safe and effective workouts. Physical activity is also a great way to boost student performance. Research shows that students who take breaks from their class work to be physically active during the school day are often better able to concentrate and may do better on standardized tests. 

"Brain function is improved when we are doing physical activity, especially when it comes to academic performance. It is important for students to look at fitness as a way to help them stay strong both inside and outside the classroom," said Potter.

The William's Campus is now offering group fitness classes this semester in the areas of: Pilates, Yoga and Zumba. Classes begin on August 31st and go through December 10th. Each class is worth one academic credit and is taught by a degree-certified instructor. For more information on group classes visit the Coyote Center's website www.cgc.edu/coyotecenter or contact a Coyote Center representative at 480.732.7000.